A Brief History of Preseason Pointlessness

1972 COLLEGE ALL-STAR GAME The traditional kickoff to the preseason, played at Soldier Field in Chicago, pitted the reigning NFL champions against a team of former collegiate stars from the previous season. In ’72 Roger Staubach and the Cowboys upheld the league’s honor against the upstarts. SI photographers Walter Iooss Jr. and Heinz Kluetmeier were there. (Walter Iooss Jr./SI)

1972 COLLEGE ALL-STAR GAME The traditional kickoff to the preseason, played at Soldier Field in Chicago, pitted the reigning NFL champions against a team of former collegiate stars from the previous season. In ’72 Roger Staubach and the Cowboys upheld the

1972 COLLEGE ALL-STAR GAME The traditional kickoff to the preseason, played at Soldier Field in Chicago, pitted the reigning NFL champions against a team of former collegiate stars from the previous season. In ’72 Roger Staubach and the Cowboys upheld the league’s honor against the upstarts. SI photographers Walter Iooss Jr. and Heinz Kluetmeier were there. (Walter Iooss Jr./SI)

1972 COLLEGE ALL-STAR GAME The traditional kickoff to the preseason, played at Soldier Field in Chicago, pitted the reigning NFL champions against a team of former collegiate stars from the previous season. In ’72 Roger Staubach and the Cowboys upheld the

JUST A PINCH Fullback Walt Garrison, who would go on to have his only Pro Bowl season in ’72, carried for the Boys. (Heinz Kluetmeier/SI)

JUST A PINCH Fullback Walt Garrison, who would go on to have his only Pro Bowl season in ’72, carried for the Boys. (Heinz Kluetmeier/SI)

OUT FRONT Penn State’s Lydell Mitchell (24) led the way for Newhouse. (Heinz Kluetmeier/SI)

OUT FRONT Penn State’s Lydell Mitchell (24) led the way for Newhouse. (Heinz Kluetmeier/SI)

OUT FRONT Penn State’s Lydell Mitchell (24) led the way for Newhouse. (Heinz Kluetmeier/SI)

CLOSING NIGHT The game was the last in a Cowboys uniform for moody Super Bowl VI star Duane Thomas (33); he would be traded to the Chargers four days later and never play a down in the ’72 season. (Heinz Kluetmeier/SI)

CLOSING NIGHT The game was the last in a Cowboys uniform for moody Super Bowl VI star Duane Thomas (33); he would be traded to the Chargers four days later and never play a down in the ’72 season. (Heinz Kluetmeier/SI)

CLOSING NIGHT The game was the last in a Cowboys uniform for moody Super Bowl VI star Duane Thomas (33); he would be traded to the Chargers four days later and never play a down in the ’72 season. (Heinz Kluetmeier/SI)

CLOSING NIGHT The game was the last in a Cowboys uniform for moody Super Bowl VI star Duane Thomas (33); he would be traded to the Chargers four days later and never play a down in the ’72 season. (Heinz Kluetmeier/SI)

EVERYBODY CHEER Morton hit Ron Sellers (88) late in the first half to put Dallas up 10-0. (Heinz Kluetmeier/SI)

EVERYBODY CHEER Morton hit Ron Sellers (88) late in the first half to put Dallas up 10-0. (Heinz Kluetmeier/SI)

CONSOLATION Heisman winner Pat Sullivan (7), soon to be a Falcons flop, celebrated the late TD that made the final 20–7 Cowboys. (Heinz Kluetmeier/SI)

Get expert analysis, unrivaled access, and the award-winning storytelling only SI can provide — from Peter King, Tom Verducci, Lee Jenkins, Grant Wahl, Andy Staples and more — delivered straight to you, along with up-to-the-minute news and live scores.